Keynote: Wicked Ambiguity and User Experience

wicked Ambiguity NASA/JPL [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Jonathon Colman @jcolman NASA/JPL [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

video + slides + text Bit.ly/raycats NASA/JPL [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

NASA/JPL [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Sebas<an Mary (giovannijl-‐s_photohut) [CC-‐BY-‐SA-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐sa/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/giovannijl-‐s_photohut/421051338

What’s the Big problem in user experience?

They think we’re just creatives

Oh, But I’m really a ._______!

Oh, But I’m really a ._______! Designer

Oh, But I’m really a ._______! Developer

Oh, But I’m really a ._______! Researcher

Oh, But I’m really a ._______! Information Architect

Oh, But I’m really a ._______! Content Strategist

Oh, But I’m really a ._______! Creative

creative Designer Content Strategist Information Architect Researcher Developer

Our differences Don’t matter

We’re united against Ambiguity

Wicked Problems

Horst Rittel & Melvin Webber René Spitz (renespitz) [CC-‐BY-‐ND-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐nd/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/renespitz/3383405574/

John Snow/C.F. Cheﬃns (Rewardiv at en.wikipedia) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snow-‐cholera-‐map-‐1.jpg

Naw, That’s a tame problem René Spitz (renespitz) [CC-‐BY-‐ND-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐nd/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/renespitz/3383405574/

US Federal Agency Centers for Disease Control and Preven<on (CDC), from Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/cdcglobal/14723720857 (crea<ve commons license: hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ )

OMG WHADDA wicked pissaH René Spitz (renespitz) [CC-‐BY-‐ND-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐nd/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/renespitz/3383405574/

Steﬃ Reichert, from Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/steﬃreichert/4107432940 (crea<ve commons license: hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐nc-‐nd/2.0/ )

By Ventus (Own work) [CC BY-‐SA 3.0 (hNp://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By West Midlands Police from West Midlands, United Kingdom [CC BY-‐SA 2.0 (hNp://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

US Federal Agency Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Drugpackscorpion.png

John Warwick Brooke [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bri<sh_ar<llery_in_ac<on,_World_War_I.JPEG

By Elizabeth ArroN / VOA [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:VOA-‐Crimea-‐Simferopol-‐airport.jpg

Tim J. Keegan (suburbanbloke) [CC-‐BY-‐SA-‐2.0 (hNp://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐sa/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/49333819@N00/381634787

Adam Fowler (adamfowler) [CC BY-‐NC-‐ND 2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐nc-‐nd/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/adamfowler/4841559945

wicked problems in UX

r o f g n i n Desig s g n i e b n e i Al

ScoNer20 via NASA [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Terrestrial_Planets_Size_Comp_True_Color.png

By NASA (Cropped from Image:Africa satellite plane.jpg.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sahara_satellite_hires.jpg

LO L E H By NASA (Cropped from Image:Africa satellite plane.jpg.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sahara_satellite_hires.jpg

4 = 2 + 2 By NASA (Cropped from Image:Africa satellite plane.jpg.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sahara_satellite_hires.jpg

’S E O J T A T A E By NASA (Cropped from Image:Africa satellite plane.jpg.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sahara_satellite_hires.jpg

signalmirror [CC-‐BY-‐SA-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/signalmirror/8329443696/

NASA/JPL [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mars_atmosphere.jpg

T A T A E NASA/JPL [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mars_atmosphere.jpg S ’ E JO

The Drake Equation 𝑁=𝑅↓∗ ∙𝑓↓𝑝 ∙𝑛↓𝑒 ∙𝑓↓𝑙 ∙𝑓↓𝑖 ∙𝑓↓𝑐 ∙𝐿 Via Wikipedia -‐ hNp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equa<on

The Drake Equation 𝑁=𝑅↓∗ ∙𝑓↓𝑝 ∙𝑛↓𝑒 ∙𝑓↓𝑙 ∙𝑓↓𝑖 ∙𝑓↓𝑐 ∙𝐿 Lower bound: 8 x 10 Via Wikipedia -‐ hNp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equa<on -20

The Drake Equation 𝑁=𝑅↓∗ ∙𝑓↓𝑝 ∙𝑛↓𝑒 ∙𝑓↓𝑙 ∙𝑓↓𝑖 ∙𝑓↓𝑐 ∙𝐿 Lower bound: 8 x 10 Via Wikipedia -‐ hNp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equa<on -20 Upper bound: 36.4 M

Oona Räisänen; designed by Carl Sagan & Frank Drake; artwork by Linda Salzman Sagan [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pioneer_plaque.svg

Carl Sagan Alex Alonso [CC-‐BY-‐NC-‐SA-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐nc-‐sa/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/aleiex/2123333438

NASA/JPL [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arecibo_message.svg

By Arne Nordmann [GFDL (hNp://www.gnu.org/copyleo/fdl.html), CC-‐BY-‐SA-‐3.0 (hNp://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arecibo_message.svg

NASA/JPL [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Sounds_of_Earth_-‐_GPN-‐2000-‐001976.jpg

NASA/JPL [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Sounds_of_Earth_Record_Cover_-‐_GPN-‐2000-‐001978.jpg

NASA/JPL [Public domain], via NASA -‐ hNp://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2011/04/28/annsbrainwaves.jpg via hNp://science.nasa.gov/science-‐news/science-‐at-‐nasa/2011/28apr_voyager2/

wicked problems in UX

r o f g n i n r a w a g n i Design e t s a W r a e l c u N

JJanos Korom Dr. from Wien, Austria (Bécs 219 Uploaded by darkweasel94) [CC-‐BY-‐SA-‐2.0 (hNp://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:B%C3%A9cs_219_(8135332496).jpg

User:Fasqission [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yucca_Mountain_crest_south.jpg

PU 239 Half-life: 24,100 years Via hNp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutonium-‐239 . Photo by Los Alamos Na<onal Laboratory [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plutonium_ring.jpg

PU 239 Half-life: 24,100 years Via hNp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium-‐235 and hNp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutonium-‐239 U 235

PU U 239 235 Half-life: Half-life: 24,100 years Via hNp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium-‐235 and hNp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutonium-‐239 703,800,000 years

By Ed Siasoco (Flickr: Trinity 007) [CC-‐BY-‐2.0 (hNp://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trinity_007.jpg

Goal Stop people from accessing nuclear waste

Strategy Create a message that lasts for 10,000+ years

Objective 1 Must communicate “this is a message”

Objective 2 Must communicate “this area is dangerous”

Objective 3 Must communicate WHY

Publishers of the 1890 Holman Bible [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holman_Priest_High_Priest_Levite.jpg

NASA [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GPS_Satellite_NASA_art-‐iif.jpg

By Jon Sullivan (PdPhoto) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leaf_1_web.jpg

Russell Bernice (russellbernice) [CC-‐BY-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/russellbernice/2558386173/

Alle (pinkiwinki<nki) [CC-‐BY—SA-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐sa/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/55638925@N00/377299306/

Nicolas Raymond (82955120@N05) [CC-‐BY-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/82955120@N05/13094530583

Sandia Na<onal Laboratories, “Expert Judgment on Markers to Deter Inadvertent Human Intrusion into the Waste Isola<on Pilot Plant” (1993) -‐ hNp://prod.sandia.gov/techlib/access-‐control.cgi/1992/921382.pdf

the Nature of ambiguity

NASA/JPL, Voyager 1 (hNp://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.php?id=601) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pale_Blue_Dot.png

YOU ARE HERE NASA/JPL, Voyager 1 (hNp://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.php?id=601) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pale_Blue_Dot.png

’S E O J T A EAT NASA/JPL, Voyager 1 (hNp://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.php?id=601) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons -‐ hNp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pale_Blue_Dot.png

Our problems aren’t meaningful because they last forever

Our problems are meaningful because They don’t

They don’t

Wey don’t

creative Designer Content Strategist Information Architect Researcher Developer

AMBIGUITY

∆𝑥∙∆𝑝↓𝑥 ≥ℏ/2 Wikipedia: “Uncertainty Principle” -‐ hNp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncertainty_principle

∆𝑥∙∆𝑝↓𝑥 ≥ℏ/2 we live in an uncertain universe Wikipedia: “Uncertainty Principle” -‐ hNp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncertainty_principle

Adam Fowler (adamfowler) [CC BY-‐NC-‐ND 2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐nc-‐nd/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/adamfowler/4841559945

Wicked problems are

Wicked problems are catalysts

Wicked problems ignite our Creativity

Wicked problems pull us Forward

Wicked problems help us Innovate

Sebas<an Mary (giovannijl-‐s_photohut) [CC-‐BY-‐SA-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐sa/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/giovannijl-‐s_photohut/421051338

We can’t solve Wicked Problems

We can’t solve Wicked Problems But we can Acknowledge them

Acknowledge them Tim J. Keegan (suburbanbloke) [CC-‐BY-‐SA-‐2.0 (hNp://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐sa/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/49333819@N00/381634787

We can’t solve Wicked Problems But we can Take risks

Take risks Mike Bash [CC-‐BY-‐NC-‐ND-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐nc-‐nd/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/jbash/4223183281

We can’t solve Wicked Problems But we can Stop being perfect

We can’t solve Wicked Problems But we can Reward learning

Reward learning Laura Ferreira [CC-‐BY-‐NC-‐ND-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐nc-‐nd/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/prayerfriends/4343362783

We can’t solve Wicked Problems But we can Try

But we can Dare

Coda

Our differences Don’t Matter

Our problems Do

We stand United

We Don’t Run away From ambiguity And so when we’re faced with ambiguity, we’re not afraid. We don’t run away from it.

We Run toward it Sebas<an Mary (giovannijl-‐s_photohut) [CC-‐BY-‐SA-‐2.0 (hNps://crea<vecommons.org/licenses/by-‐sa/2.0/)], via Flickr -‐ hNps://www.flickr.com/photos/giovannijl-‐s_photohut/421051338

wicked Ambiguity NASA/JPL [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

video + slides + text Bit.ly/raycats NASA/JPL [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

NASA/JPL [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

T A T A E NASA, ESA, Hubble Space Telescope [Public domain], via NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day, hNp://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap101009.html S ’ E JO